Hornet baseball star signs with UCA

November 14, 2011

Bryant senior baseball player Jordan Taylor signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Central Arkansas on Friday at noon in front of the Bryant gym. Friends, family and teammates witnessed the Hornets’ main pitcher sign.
“It’s been fun,” Jordan Taylor said. “It’s been a lot of fun. Been through a lot with my brothers right here,” referring to his teammates.
This past season as a junior, Taylor made all-state, all-conference and all-tournament team as the Hornets were runner-ups after losing to Conway in the 7A State Championship final. Bryant won the 7A Championship in 2010 in Taylor’s sophomore year.
As a pitcher, Taylor was 7-3 on the year with a 3.20 ERA. At the plate, Taylor led the team with a .418 batting average. He also had a .570 on-base percentage and a .660 slugging percentage while hitting two home runs, 13 doubles and tied for the team lead with 27 RBIs. He walked 22 times and scored 18 runs.
Taylor’s father, Wayne Taylor said he is very proud, looking forward to his son’s college career, and said Jordan has worked hard for it.
“Very humbled by the whole thing,” Wayne Taylor said. “Since he’s been a little thing, he’s had a goal of college baseball, and I think it’s a testament to him how hard he’s worked to realize the next step to being able to do that. He’s had a lot of positive people in his baseball development .”
Kirk Bock, Taylor’s high school coach, said Taylor was the first ninth-grader to start in the history of Bryant.
“It’s an exciting time for Jordan and his family, and also our program,” Bock said.
“Any time you can get a guy signed with any school, but UCA is a little special for me because that’s where I went to school at.
“UCA is not only getting a quality athlete at the plate and in the field, he’s a quality individual and just a quality kid. I feel like he’s going to do some great things at UCA before his career is over.”
Bock said Taylor started his Hornets’ career at shortstop his freshman and sophomore years and played all four infield positions this past season.
“He’s so talented we could move him around. He will be our everyday third baseman this year.”
Bock foresees Taylor being a corner infielder at UCA.
“They may move him to a corner outfield spot, but right now, he’s going to either be a third baseman or first baseman,” Bock said. “But, he’s going to hit in that lineup because that’s one thing he can do; he can swing it. He has done a tremendous job for us these last three years.”